IDWBE -Chapter 170 Commander Li

Even a puddle of mud, when gazing at the stars, wants to stand at the highest point.

In this battle, the Sanhe soldiers suffered only around a hundred deaths, most of the rest of the three hundred wounded injured by the impact of horses and elephants.

The heaviest losses were among the Qian and Li people, who charged fearlessly ahead—over a thousand killed, and another thousand wounded.

Yet, they were the most exhilarated after the fight. Not only did they decapitate the captives, but they also beat the Sanhe soldiers to all the spoils: horses, mules, elephants, food, and weapons—everything was taken without hesitation.

Even the bloodstained, tattered clothes of the Ayu soldiers were stripped and stacked high in their tribal camp.

Everyone was overjoyed.

The Sanhe soldiers and laborers were unhappy. Why should everything go to them?

Just an hour ago, they had been brothers in the same trench. Now, conflicts erupted, swords were drawn, and no one was willing to step back.

Lin Yi said to Shen Chu, “Let all of it go to the tribal brothers.”

Shen Chu laughed. “They really are simple-minded. Such trivial things are worth so much to them?”

He stepped forward and scolded his own men for greed.

Lin Yi looked at Chen Xinluo. “Send the order: all corpses must be buried quickly to prevent disease.”

“Yes.”

Chen Xinluo stepped back as well.

“Prince!”

Ye Qiu waved a severed head at Lin Yi, making sure he could see the face clearly, brushing away the hair stuck to it. “This is an Earthly Reverent of Ayu. I cut off his head for you, Prince.”

Xiao Xizi glanced at Ye Qiu with disdain. If it weren’t for Chief Hong intervening, could you have snatched such a prize from the rear?

The stench of blood and corpses hit Lin Yi, and he took several steps back, covering his nose. “I know your merit. Bury it quickly.”

Ye Qiu smiled. “Prince, Lord He said to display it on a flagpole after sprinkling lime to strike fear into the Ayu people.”

“Fine. Take it away quickly—don’t block my view.”

Ye Qiu left, but Lin Yi still didn’t dare breathe deeply.

The smell of blood, corpses, animal dung, burning charcoal, and smoke all mixed in the air—it was unbearable.

He let go of everything, rode his donkey, and with Xiao Xizi leading, moved away from the battlefield to a mountain stream.

He washed thoroughly in the clear water, breathing in fresh air.

Having had nothing to eat since morning, he roasted a wild rabbit on the spot, but his mind was still filled with images of mangled corpses.

He sighed. This was trauma.

Xiao Xizi, sharp-eyed, picked some wild fruits from the mountain. Lin Yi reluctantly ate a few.

Squinting, he lay under the shade of a tree while Xiao Xizi squatted nearby, flicking away any creeping insects.

“Forget it,”

Lin Yi waved to Xiao Xizi. “This place is unbearable. Once the Ayu retreat, we’ll burn all these old forests and build roads.”

And encourage more children and felling of trees! Nature must give way to humans!

“Prince, you’re wise. More trees mean more mosquitoes,”

Xiao Xizi said, still unused to the humid, oppressive environment, “I think cutting more is better.”

Voices came from outside the woods. It was Chen Desheng. Lin Yi didn’t wait for the guards to announce them. “Bring them here.”

Xiao Xizi shouted, and soon Chen Desheng arrived with Kang Bao and a sturdy middle-aged man carrying a large bow.

“Greetings, Prince!”

The middle-aged man kneeled and bowed.

“Commander Li, rise. No need for formalities,”

Lin Yi offered a hand. This was the Commander Li, the tribal chief—he had met him before. “I didn’t expect you to speak Mandarin.”

“Prince, though we have drifted to Sanhe,” The Commander Li stood proudly. “We are still citizens of Liang.”

Chen Desheng explained to Lin Yi. “When the Gaozu Emperor founded the nation, he established the Sanhe garrison here. Soldiers were collectively called Flag Troops. The Flag Troops were split into stationed and defending units, totaling over forty thousand. By Emperor Yingzong’s time, the stationed troops could not endure labor and fled. Though nominally farmed the land, it was not practical. Commander Li’s ancestors were defending troops, loyal for generations, never leaving.”

“I truly admire your loyalty and righteousness,”

Lin Yi stood and cupped his hands. “Seeing your conduct today makes this journey worthwhile.”

“Thank you for your praise, Prince,”

Commander Li cupped his hands. “I do not deserve it.”

Lin Yi smiled. “What brings you to me, Commander Li?”

Commander Li said, “Prince, your troops are strong. Why not lead them directly into the Ten-Thousand Mountains and strike Ayu’s capital? I am willing to lead my men to serve at your side!”

After today’s battle, his opinion of the Sanhe soldiers changed completely.

Those previously invincible Ayu people had been defeated so easily—unbelievable!

Lin Yi laughed. “We must take it step by step. Though we have sixty to seventy thousand people, most are laborers. Only about twenty thousand are true fighters.”

“Prince, I observe that many laborers also have refined skills,” Commander Li was eager. “Ayu may be brave, but they are no match!”

Besides, his tribe had very few skilled fighters willing to risk their lives.

Lin Yi smiled. “I understand your intent, Commander. But we must plan carefully.”

Crossing the Ten-Thousand Mountains would take a month or more?

What a joke!

Even with the strength, it’s impossible.

Not to mention, supplies would be inadequate—starvation halfway through!

Chen Desheng raised his hand. “Commander Li, please.”

“Prince, please consider carefully,” Reluctantly, Commander Li followed Chen Desheng.

He Jixiang rested until evening before ordering attacks on the hilltops.

Round after round of arrows were shot at the hidden Ayu forces.

The Ayu did not emerge.

Commander Li watched in frustration. So many fine arrows wasted. He shouted, “Lord He, if you fear death, I will lead my men up!”

“Commander Li, don’t rush.”

He Jixiang coughed twice and waved his hand. The soldiers retreated, revealing stone-throwing machines recently assembled by the Deng workshop.

Fifteen machines hurled stones simultaneously, toppling trees with thunderous crashes.

Soldiers also launched oil-wrapped fire rockets.

Flames erupted on the mountain.

Only then did the Ayu realize the enemy had not only thrown stones, but also set fire.

There was no place left to hide.